Citizens Vs. the Political Class

The most fundamental divide in American politics today is between mainstream citizens, a large majority of whom hold traditional, largely conservative views, and our political class, which tirelessly seeks to impose a very different regime on the rest of us.
This divide comes into sharp focus when Americans are asked whether more government spending is good for the economy. Scott Rasmussen reports:

In official Washington, there appears to be a belief that policy makers must choose between helping the economy or reducing spending and deficits. A number of polling companies have even asked questions on the trade-off.
However, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 28% of voters believe increased government spending is good for the economy. Fifty-two percent (52%) believe increased government spending is bad for the economy, while 12% say it has no impact. Eight percent (8%) are not sure.
This suggests that for 72% of voters, asking about a trade-off between cutting spending and helping the economy doesn’t make sense. A look at the demographics shows that the trade-off makes sense for only one group– the Political Class. Among that group, 67% believe increased government spending would be good for the economy.

What they really mean, of course, is that it would be good for them. Data like this explain the political class’s determination to stigmatize those who want to cut government spending as “racist,” an absurd claim that makes sense only in the context of the losing battle the political class is otherwise fighting.